EFFECTS OF GONADECTOMY IN IMMATURE D0GS (SPAY/NEUTER)



The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University 

of Florida, Gainesville did a 15 month study on the efects of 

spaying and neutering dogs prior to maturation.  They studied 32 

mixed-breed dogs wich includ-ed male and female pups from 5 

litters.   These pups were randomly alloted to 3 groups:



Group I was neutered at 7 weeks of age. (14)



Group II was neutered at 7 months of age. (8)



Group III was left intact. (10)



Their observations includ-ed the following .  First of all there 

seemed to be no difference among the groups regarding food intake 

or weight gain.  Now for some interesting observations...in Groups 

and II the growth plate closure was slower than in those dogs left 

intact.  This longer growth rate resulted in greater final 

radial/ulnar  length.  The greatest difference being found in 

those pups that were neutered at 7 weeks.   All neutered males 

were not only consid-ered to be more active but those males in 

Groups I  were also judged to be more excitable.  Many concluded 

from this study that with respect to to skeletal, physical, and 

behavioral development, the effect of spaying/neutering pups at 7 

weeks old was similar to that of spaying/neutering pups at 7 

months of age.